Hair fall is a part of everyday life. Yes, hair can clog your shower drain, meaning you must vacuum daily, or your carpet will turn into a rug with fur. But losing hair is normal. On average, you can lose about 80 fibres a day. If you lose more than that or notice they are not growing anymore, things become a concern.
Understanding your condition is important in preventing hair loss. It varies in every individual. No condition is the same. Hair loss can happen gradually over the years, or it can happen suddenly.
Don’t know if it’s time to see a doctor? Read on for more information on hair loss and how to deal with it.
The Hair Growth Cycle
Before delving into the causes of hair loss, it’s important to understand the natural hair growth cycle. Hair grows in three main stages:
Anagen Phase
Anagen is the growth phase when hair grows vigorously. It can last for years and shows the length of your hair.
Catagen Phase
During this transition, the hair undergoes a brief catagen transition as the fibres grow.
Telogen Phase
During telogen, old hair is gradually pushed into the skin before it is naturally shed and replaced by new, emerging anagen hair.
Usually, hair loss is gradual. You lose about 100 hairs per day. There are about 100,000 hairs on the scalp.
Common Causes and Triggers of Hair Loss
Hair loss can occur suddenly or gradually and only affect your hair or entire body. Symptoms of hair loss include:
Genetics
Both men and women lose hair weight and volume as they age. It is associated with growth, reproduction, and changes in the testosterone hormone. Genetic, or pattern baldness, affects more men than women. Anytime after puberty, male pattern baldness can occur.
This process means you’ve got genes that cause your hair follicles (from which every hair grows) to shrink, eventually stopping hair growth. Thinning starts in adolescence, but many begin later in life. Typically, the first noticeable symptom of natural hair loss in women is that it is all thin or stretchy.
Stress and Trauma
Severe stress, physical trauma (such as surgery or serious illness), or significant weight loss can disrupt the hair growth cycle, causing temporary hair loss called telogen effluvium grade.
Hairstyle and Hair Treatments
Cosmetic products can cause hair loss. Aside from that, trying your hair tightly and using rollers or hot curlers can damage hair and cause breakage. However, these methods do not make hair white. Hair will usually regrow once the source of the problem is removed. If scarring occurs, hair loss can be permanent.
Nutritional Imbalance
Vitamin B12 deficiency often leads to hair loss because it can affect the health of red blood cells that carry oxygen to your veins. You can only get B12 through animal protein, making it common among vegans.
Prevention and Self-Care
While preventing hair loss is impossible, leading a healthy lifestyle and practicing good habits can help maintain healthy hair. Here are some tips:
- Make sure to have a balanced diet.
- Avoid excessive scalp stress.
- Limit the use of intense scalp treatments and extreme heat.
- Manage stress with relaxation techniques and exercise.
- Protect your hair from sun damage with hats or hair loss treatment and solutions containing UV protection.
Get Out of a Hairy Situation!
Hair loss is a common and treatable condition with many causes and triggers. Understanding these factors and seeking appropriate treatment can help individuals manage their hair loss better.
Remember that everyone’s hair loss is different, so consulting with a healthcare professional is important for the right approach to treatment and care. You can empower everyone to take steps towards hair quality and greater confidence by removing the stigma surrounding hair loss.
